awashlogs | July Catch All

[ Heeeyyy... knock knock, Akechi. Just your friendly neighborhood lion coming to show you much love and affection and not because he's sent by your not-boyfriend. He's not even sure what to say, really. How is he supposed to help with something he knows nothing about?

Come to think of it, what's he supposed to tell Lupin if he answers? "Hey I got some rando tip that Akechi needs to be comforted(tm) and here I am!"? What a wild thought.

Whatever the case, he is still worried about Akechi now. Not that that's a new feeling or anything-- Akechi has a very worry-able nature to him, it seems. Or maybe that's just to Caramia? Hm... He'll contemplate this to himself until someone answers the door. ]

[ The knock on his door isn't all that surprising-- really, Lupin seemed to be receiving a lot of visits these past few days, so Akechi assumes it's just someone else looking to see him, or at least hear about his condition. That's all it must be. ]

Ah, good afternoon, Caramia-san. [ He greets, though his smile is just a little weaker than usual, a little less natural. ] Are you here for Lupin-san?

[ Yes, that is absolutely all it is. After all, who would ever think of sending help for their own murderer? ]

Haha... what? [ Caramia shakes his head, still laughing a little. ] Why would I be? I mean, he's nice and all, but... [ He's not too sure how Lupin feels about Caramia, but he's pretty sure it's not in very high regards. Which is fine! It's just very strange that's Akechi's first guess.

Something really is wrong, then... ]

I'm here to talk with you, of course. Make sure everything's alright, catch up with the news-- all that fun stuff. That's okay, right?

[ Hey, it's a reasonable assumption, considering Lupin has been shot and is currently recovering! There is nothing strange about that! ]

Ah, of course. [ Fortunately, this unprompted (or so Akechi assumes, anyway) checking on him isn't a first, either, so he doesn't find it particularly suspicious; he may not be used to it just yet, but he has at least come to accept Caramia's inexplicable kindness as fact. ]

I appreciate your concern, Caramia-san. Thank you. Please, come in.

[ He moves aside to let his guest in, no more questions asked. ]

[ Look, he's a grown man, he can suck it up........ ]

Grazie. [ Rad, okay, so now he just needs to... do... something? Probably ask him questions and see what's wrong, certainly, but he doesn't even know where to begin. Akira, you're so unhelpful! He steps in anyway, throwing a smile over at Akechi. ]

This place doesn't really seem to be letting up on us anytime soon. I hope everyone's staying in high spirits...?

[ See, that was Caramia's first mistake, right there-- why would he trust someone who just casually drops by his message box and tells him to go check on Akechi? The kid is doing fine!

... except not really, no. The question has his face shift into crestfallen, and he hesitates before answering: ]

... as best as we can manage, I suppose. [ It's vague, but as much as he can say without lying. With a recovering roommate and a friend who claimed to have inexplicably returned from the dead, there's been a lot on his mind to process, a lot of feelings he doesn't know what to do with.

(The fact that it was Akechi himself who had shot them both certainly didn't help.) ]

What about you, Caramia-san? [ He motions for his guest to take a seat. ] Were you able to stay safe against the werewolves?

[ He takes a seat happily, but he can't say the rest of what was happening was a very "happily" affair. He wants, more than anything, to just ask what's bothering Akechi, and that he knows something happened, but he couldn't think of any feasible way to do so. ]

Mmh. I volunteered to take care of Ochako while she was turned. She punched Kyrie in the nose, but that aside, everything went okay.

[ But, with that said... ]

What about you...?

Ochako-chan turned into a werewolf...?

[ His eyebrows shoot upwards, in genuine surprise. That time she had visited him not long ago, with freshly baked cookies and a sunny positive smile that reminded him of Caramia's... He would have never guessed she'd gone through that experience-- and what good is a detective that can't pick on clues? Did his own troubles really cloud his sense of perception that badly...? ]

I'm glad you were there for her, Caramia-san. Something like that... Surely she must have required all the help that could be mustered.

[ Like the others had, too. Like Lupin, and also-- ]

I was... mostly unscathed throughout that week. [ The question moves his train of thought to something just slightly less concerning, though the memory induced just about the same level of guilt. ] Lupin-san, however, was also bitten and turned into of them. I was on guard duty after that.

Mhm. But she was relatively easy to manage... I should've been out and about helping everyone else, too. [ Like Akechi! Since he apparently missed something there!!!

Though, he still doesn't understand why, and it's not like he's exactly getting any openings where he can ask about it without seeming suspicious. Damn, he's not all that good at this, is he? ]

Lupin was-- [ He gives a brief flash of surprise, but ultimately shakes it off for now. He'll have to talk to Lupin later if he can, but for now... ] Ah, so you were taking care of someone, too? How dependable of you, Akechi! [ But!!!! ] Nothing happened after that?

[ ... ah. Well, something definitely happened after that-- a couple of somethings, actually. But should he tell anyone else about it? Can he trust anyone with his secrets..?

Briefly, he remembers a conversation he had with Akira-- about sharing burdens. How ironic wasn't it? That he was the one person Akechi couldn't share anything with anymore. ]

Lupin-san asked me to tie him up in the basement so he wouldn't hurt anyone, but one night when I went to bring him dinner, he had escaped.

[ A sigh and he closes his eyes, head lowered. This isn't easy on him-- and it's not even the worst of it. ]

He was still home, though, and he attacked me. So I had to... stop him.

[ A-ha! This must be what's got Akechi so down... right? He's not sure why Akira couldn't talk to Akechi about the Lupin thing, but it's all he had to go on for now. Caramia reaches his hand forward and coaxes Akechi to pick his head back up. ]

Oi, look at me, Akechi. Whatever it is that happened there, I'm sure we can talk to him about, right? He's bound to understand. I don't see why he wouldn't...

[ When prompted, Akechi does lift his head, but his eyes are still cast downwards, lost in his own thoughts. Lupin was only part of his problems, and though the air was still tense between them, he thinks - and hopes - they'll eventually be able to work past it.

There's a lot else in his mind, though, an even bigger weight in his chest. One that he most certainly can't discuss with Akira, because-- ]

I shot him.

[ Too bad Caramia isn't a mind reader, and can only take that to mean Lupin. ]

[ Caramia coming into the library wasn't exactly a new occurance. He's probably gotten his hands on most of the books around here, after all, but today he hadn't intended on reading anything. Rather, he made a beeline right for the town's resident animated rock with his usual smile. ]

Ciao, Cairngorm. Would you be interested in getting out and about with me? Maybe complete a quest while we're at it??

[ His way of saying "I want to go for a walk and also have company. Please don't say no-- here's an incentive." Though, maybe that way would've sounded less like he was asking them out? Maybe they're not up to speed with that kind of stuff and won't pick up on it. ]

Edited 2018-07-07 11:03 (UTC)

[ They're actually just putting away some books they'd finished reading when he comes in, looking down from their place on a small step stool to assess who it is, before placing the last books in their proper places. ]

Caramia. [ They step down from the stool with a soft clink, putting a hand at their hip. ] It'll be light out for a while, so I can help you if that's what you're asking.

[ That must be what he wants, right? They don't mind it, since they're finished with reading for today. ]

Do you mean right now?

[ Success! Caramia gives a very pleased grin, nodding enthusiastically. ]

Grazie! [ Everyone's so good about indulging him. It's a dangerous thing, really. Keep doing that, and he'll end up dragging you places when you eventually say no, Gorm. A personal Awash Phos right here. ] Mhm. If that's alright. With the sun out and everything, it's great weather to do so. And it's dry out today from the rain the other day.

[ please say sike... one phos is enough in their life ]

Alright. I need to go outside anyway...

[ They should try and recharge as much as they can since they've spent most of the day inside - plus, with how wacky the weather is around here, there's no telling when it'll go bad again. They walk off so they can pick up their saw that they leave balanced against the table while they do their library duties, making their way towards the exit while they fasten it to their belt - they don't wait up for him. ]

You're not planning on shooting things at me, are you.

[ It's fine. Caramia's way too protective to be like Phos, anyway. Still, he'll offer out his arm to Cairngorm... maybe a little too late? They just keep walking past and this fool just looks stupid holding his arm up in the air.

It's probably for the best!! He starts after them, fast paced to catch up before slowing to match their pace. ] Huh...? Why would I-- oh, for the quest? No, of course not. Personally, I think that quest is a little dangerous, and I'm certain a bullet would do some frightening damage to you... [ Not to mention that quest required a blue to do it, but Caramia's more focused on the moral standpoints of why he's not going to rather than the logical ones. ]

Yes. Lately, I haven't been damaged much and I'd like to keep it that way.

[ Also, guns seem somehow more powerful than arrows?! Which is confusing to them since they're so small... in their mind, if they were to get shattered by a bullet in such a complicated way, they'd likely just have to be dormant until another gem showed up. Who knows if anyone here is responsible enough to store all their pieces, too-- it's just too stressful to think about.

They walk out into the shining sun, squinting a little and looking over their shoulder, pausing so he can catch up. ]

What did you have in mind, then? I'll be honest with you and say that I didn't understand most of this month's requests.

As would I, and I'm sure most of the town. [ Sans the few who seemed a bit on the mentally unstable side.

Eagerly, though, he would keep up with the gem person and... ...and...

Caramia's eyes trail away from Cairngorm when they step out into the sunshine. It's light now way brighter than anything they had before. He had opened his mouth briefly to say something important (probably important?), but is now completely enraptured with the very intense and shiny lights scattered on the ground.

...And off he goes to chase the brightest one. Sorry, Cairngorm. ]

[ tfw they're gonna get shot anyway

But really, as soon as he bolts off, they deadpan, watching him go after the light projections on the ground. When they scowl, their head moves down a little, the lights scattering differently on the ground with each of their movements. ]

What are you even doing.

[ Their voice is stern, stopping so they can stare at him with the most judgey expression they can muster. ]

[ Oh... oh no. Their voice quickly puts a stop to Caramia's antics, but... now he's just embarrassed. How was he supposed to play this off, exactly? (He doesn't, he just gets to suffer.)

Does that mean that's going to stop him from trying? Hell no. He laughs, relatively nervous, and rubs the back of his neck as he straightens himself up. ]

Me...? Nothing. I mean, you know, I was just... [ Think, damn it. ] Doing a summoning ritual... [ What were the quests, again? ] ...for unicorns.

[ You're lucky they don't know any better, Caramia... they look suspicious of his explanation, brow tensing, but there's also no way to disprove him given their lack of knowledge on the topic. So they just scowl. ]

Right. How come none are coming, then.

[ Forget it, they're just gonna start storming off towards the direction of the forest-- at least if he's gonna chase around lights, he might as well do it in the direction of doing something productive. ]

[ New quests!!! Was Caramia EXCITED? No. Not really. He still hated them just as much as he used to, but more quests meant more chances to get something useful, so, hey, he didn't get the luxury to complain, did he? Plus, he could just look at it as weirdly specific, dangerous, and overall disappointing bonding exercises!

...Mh... that somehow made it worse, actually.

Whatever, he's here now! And there was no point in turning back so he'll just knock on Maya's door and hope she's ready for the best-worst hand-holding ever. ]

Edited 2018-07-09 00:40 (UTC)

[ Here she is, answering the door with a slightly confused smile. ]

Caramia! Ciao!

Ciao, si-- [ Aaaah, wait. ] Maya~! [ Nailed it!! Old habits die hard, man. ]

Were you busy with anything?? I was hoping you and I could try out the new quests! They seem a little less... mentally exhausting this time around.

Oh! Sure, that sounds like a great idea! What were you thinking of?

Well... we can't really get our hands on any silver apples, so unicorns are probably out. And we'd need a third the the other quest, right? So... [ He reaches out to take Maya's hand. ]
Do you wanna see about this chimera??

[ Maya brightens (more), allowing this hand-holding to happen. ]

Are you going to be okay clutching at a pretty lady for so long?

If anything, isn't that more of an incentive?

[ He says this now, but--

He does start enthusiastically pulling Maya out without even checking to make sure if she's ready. He doesn't see it as too much of an issue! They should be in and out for this quest, right? It shouldn't be a problem!!! Except- ]

By the way, what's a chimera?

You--

... Well, no, I guess chimeras aren't very Italian monsters...

[ Or Japanese, for that matter, but Maya's well-read. ]

It's kind of like a mash-up of a bunch of different animals. Like a snake head for a tail and then a lion head...

[ Should he mention he's not actually Italian? MmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMM... ]

S...Sorry? A lion's head? [ Hold up... ]

I mean, from what I know of them? The chimera we're dealing with might be a completely different beast.

[ Who knows!! ]

[ Caramia's still frowning, but at least he's tugging Maya along still. Determined? Absolutely. ]

I hope so. I don't know if I'd be very comfortable finding a weird mish-mashed lion...

Don't worry! I'm sure it's probably not anything remotely lion-looking!

[ She can hope. ]

[ Thanks, Maya. He can tell she's trying at least- and he appreciates that! He shoots a quick smile her way, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. He'll just have to suck it up if they really do run into some fucked up abomination.

He coaxes her through this forest that Caramia's simultaneously too used to, and completely unfamiliar with (since it doesn't help that every time they enter it, the layout changes, but that's neither here nor there... literally). ]

I suppose... if we don't find it, this at least makes for a nice walk, doesn't it?

You're right about that.

[ And Maya seems perfectly content with that, even as she swings their hands a bit once he's slowed down just enough. The forest isn't terrible when it's not filled with ghastly things that want them dead, and actually kind of peace--

Or not, because there's some odd kind of hissing roar further ahead, and she tenses. ]

Although I don't think not finding it is going to be a thing.

Edited 2018-07-16 13:18 (UTC)

[ Well, fuck, he should've kept his mouth shut. Still, he'll squeeze Maya's hand gently, instinctively tugging her a little closer.

Of course, his whole demeanor just melts the moment the chimera makes itself known. This was supposed to be an easy mission, but seeing something like that... something so disgustingly malformed doesn't sit well with Caramia.

He tries to reach for his gun, but he's not certain he can even shoot something like this, no matter how much it should probably be put out of its misery. Besides! It didn't say they had to kill the poor thing, right? He's not sure how he's going to go about fighting it while Maya in hand, but he's sure it'll go well! (Spoilers: it won't.) ]

Hold on, signorina. [ Old habits die hard in time of stress, sorry, Maya. First mistake? Tugging Maya out of the way instead of trying to fend off the chimera when it charged at them. ]

H-- wait a minute!

[ Okay, sure, she probably looks like a woman who would be flattened by a chimera if it ran into her, but she has ways of defending herself! None of which include being pulled out of the way, and Maya stumbles, whipping her gun up and firing off a warning shot to dissuade the chimera from pursuing immediately. ]

[ It's hard to be too upset with anyone for doing something careless, since that's rather hypocritical of Caramia, but at least he tries to take precautions. And he's also centuries older than these kids as well, so that warranted quite a bit of concern there as well.

He wasn't sure how to respond to Kaoru's post about returning. "Welcome back" seemed in poor taste, and scolding her online seemed too impersonal, and... that is why, now, he stands at Kaoru's door, knocking gently-- loud enough for her to hear, of course, but it certainly doesn't sound like an excited knock. ]

[The knock didn't sound like Caramia's. That was why she was surprised to see him when she opened the door.

But uh. She's pretty sure she knows what this was about (and she really did feel bad for putting everyone through all that). Her smile is cautious and apologetic. (And she wondered too if she were about to be lectured...)]

Hey. Do you want to come in?

[ Doesn't look like it, Kaoru, sorry. Instead, he just drops down slightly and yank her into a much deserved hug in total silence. He hasn't been very good at expressing how he feels through words, so he can only hope the protective hold he had on her would plenty tell her how worried he was. ]

[She freezes for a moment because she had been bracing herself for a lecture but she relaxes after a beat, she reaches up to grab onto his shirt. She leans her forehead against his shoulder and thought, it was so much easier to deal with when people are just angry at her.]

Sorry.

I was so worried about you.

[ The "it's okay"s and "I forgive you"s can't find their way onto Caramia's lips. There's this weird mix-mash of relief and concern inside of him, and he can't juggle between the two enough to focus on just one.

Instead, his arms just coil tighter around her, like letting go would just make her run off and disappear again. ]

I didn't know what to do. I... I couldn't even go after you. What if you didn't come back??

[She felt really bad about this. She hadn't wanted to worry anyone. That had been the last thing she wanted.]

I'm safe. We all are.

[A small, terrible part of her was thinking, this time and she reached around him to hug him back.]

I promise, I'll always come back.

[And maybe she didn't have a leg to stand on, making such a promise considering why he was here, but she'll do better next time. Next time she won't hurt the people she cared about like this.]</SMALL

Don't promise something like that. I'm going to worry about you, regardless.

[ Needless to say, the warmth of his hug and the frustrated sadness in his voice starkly contrasted each other. ]

What if you don't? What if something happened to any of you? You can't just... you're all too young to do something so reckless. We... [ He sniffs. ] I wouldn't know how to handle it if anything happened.

July Catch All

Akechi | (End of June??? July 1st??ish?? somewhere in there)

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Cairngorm | (7/7)

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Fuck I missed this reply don't look at me

how dare...

Shhh ilu

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Maya | (7/3)

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Kaoru | (7/17ish)

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